Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Forest Protection


Forest Protection

Protection is the prime focus as far a proper forest management is concerned. That is why different (land based and floating) have been set up at different strategic locations of Sundarban Tiger Reserve.

Range Name of Beatand Camps
National Park (East) Range Chamta,Baghmara, Chandkhali (New)
National Park (West) Range Haldibari, Netidhopani, Kendo
Sajnekhali Wildlife  Sanctuary Range Dobanki, Sajnekhali and  Duttar, Sudhnyakhali, Sadakkhali,Pirkhali,Tentultala,
Basirhat Range Bagna, Burirdabri, Jhingekhali, Khatuajhuri, Harikhali,Samsernagara,Chilmari,Kakamari and Kaksa

Smart Patrolling

a. Use of specially designed app for patrolling: To overcome the limitations of old practices of using pen, pencil and papers along with prolonged and time bound use of RT system E-patrol/Smart patrolling was introduced in Sundarban Tiger Reserve in 2015.
In this new system every camp has been given a cell phone having an android operating system with a compatible mobile application called 'Hejje' (Programmed in Java) installed in it for monitoring and patrolling purpose. With the help of this application the frontline staffs are recording their every possible activity like patrolling, monitoring the condition of fences, night patrolling, offence detections, and wildlife sightings.

b. Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): UAV or Drones has been introduced as a part of the Smart Patrolling initiative in Sundarban Tiger Reserve. These have proven a remarkably useful tool in patrolling those areas in the Tiger Reserve which are otherwise inaccessible. This tool has also proven useful in case of locating a strayed animal in a locality especially tiger. UAV are also being used to monitor an animal post release into the wild up to considerable distance inside the forest at close vicinity.

Nylon Net Fencing

Nylon-net fence has been found to play an important role in preventing the straying out of tigers into village's areas from forest. A protocol for maintenance of the nylon-net fencing has been designed with an aim of carrying out thorough checking and proper maintenance. The Protocol includes involvement of local Stakeholders in FPC/EDC members also along with forest staff.

Range-wise Location of the Existing Nylon-Net Fence and its Maintenance is given below

Range Total length of nylon net fencing Location
N.P.(W) 21 km.
(inclusive khal guards)
  • From Belegudam khal to Nawbanki Khal
S.W.L.S. 35 km. approx.
(inclusive of khal guards)
  • Pirkhali khal to Pakhirkhal: 5 km approx
  • Pakhirkhal to Lalitkhali: 9 km. approx
  • Lalitkhali to Ranjit's khal: 5 km.approx.
  • Ranjit's khal to Duttar Beat: 6 km.approx.
  • Dattar beat to Kamari khal: 10 km.approx
BHT 40km. approx.
( inclusive of khal guards)
  • Shamsernagar (Kalindi River side) to Jhingekhali, Beat: 13 km. approx.
  • Raimangal river to Jhilla river ( Arbesi-2 comp):- 7 km,Aprx
  • Jhilla Compound to Kakmari khal :20 km. approx.

Fencing Checking Protocol

S no. Rank Frequency Remarks
1 Concerned Forest Guard Daily He will take at least one concerned JFMC
Member and both will jointly sign in
Fencing checking Register.
2 Concerned Beat Officer Weekly once He will take the Joint Convenor of concerned JFMC
Member and both will jointly sign in
Fencing checking Register.
3 Concerned Range Officer Once in 15 days He will take the Concerned Forest Guard
or Beat Officer along with and will report
to DFD, STR in detail as well as will
mention in fencing checking Register.
4 Asstt.Field Director/STR Once in a month They will check the fencing in the field
to verify that the same has been maintained
properly.
5 Dy. Field Director/STR Once in six weeks He will check the fencing in the field to
verify that the same has been maintained
properly.